Rock wool for thermal insulation of buildings
Is stone wool for building insulation worth it?
What is stone wool?
Why is stone wool good for construction?
Is stone wool for building insulation worth it?
If we talk about building insulation, the phrase “mineral wool” cannot be omitted. However, this term is not very precise. When talking about mineral wool, a division should be made into glass wool and rock wool. In this article, we will deal with the characteristics of the latter. So what is stone wool and in what areas is it used? Is stone wool for thermal insulation of buildings a good solution and is it profitable?
What is stone wool?
Rock wool is a composition of such components as: basalt, gabbro, dolomite, mineral briquettes, as well as limestone aggregate. Importantly, the mineral briquettes we mentioned are the result of recycling. When producing stone wool, the above raw materials must be melted at a very high temperature, as a result of which they will be defibrated. In order to obtain a uniform and smooth consistency, we must bind the fibers with resin. Then we can form selected shapes, e.g. mats, plates or lagging. An interesting fact is that we used to connect rock wool slabs with underlayment. An alternative to this operation is to laminate them with a glass veil.
Why is stone wool good for construction?
Stone wool, due to its vapor permeability, perfectly wicks away moisture. By insulating our walls with rock wool, we also reduce the risk of fungi and mold. Thus, we also maintain a healthy microclimate inside the insulated room. The advantages of using stone wool also include the improvement of acoustic comfort, considering the soundproofing capabilities. In addition, the insulating material in question is durable and, even after many years of use, does not change its properties. This is due, among other things, to the fact that stone wool does not tend to affect other building materials. It is therefore chemically neutral. Thanks to this, metal installation elements are less exposed to corrosion. We have already mentioned that the material in the form of rock wool is a good insulator. Why? Because it has the advantageous thermal conductivity coefficients. We can also divide it into specific classes, which are marked with the lambda coefficient. The most valuable materials on the market oscillate between ʎ 0.032 and ʎ 0.036.
